Saloman Kalou commits future to Lille

OSC Lille forward Saloman Kalou has been linked to a number of Premier League sides this summer, but snubbed their advances and has reaffirmed his desire to stay in France.

‘Rene Girard is a coach who can help me progress. Under these conditions, I do not see why I should go for something elsewhere.’

Saloman Kalou, 28, has previously played for ASEC Mimosas, Feyenoord, Excelsior, and Chelsea. The Ivory Coast international spent the most time of his career at the latter – 2006 until 2012.

He made over 250 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 60 goals. After swiftly falling out of favour, he was released from the London side and has now gone on to successfully rebuild his career at OSC Lille.

Last season he scored 16 goals in 37 games for the French outfit, and is now looking forward to the 2013/14 campaign.

Premier League sides West Ham United, West Brom, Fulham, and even Liverpool have been linked with the forward this summer, but their interest has fallen on deaf ears as the 28-year old is staying in France.

Kalou has found his goalscoring form again after a year to forget at Chelsea. He was used sparingly in his final season with the Europa League winners and was actively seeking out of the side.

Craving stability, he sees no reason to return to the Premier League, at least not immediately, as he’s enjoying his football again with a side who fought so hard to procure his signature last summer.

However, the Ivorian failed to rule out the possibility of a Premier League return in the future, but did stress how he wanted to repay his manager’s faith in him by staying loyal.

He’s represented the Ivory Coast on 49 occasions, scoring 15 goals – last featuring in June against Tanzania.